Chapter 61

“Average isn't enough! Be better. For now, take this and learn the wisdom of old and new.” Kaufman argued, and waved a hand, tossing him a small card that appeared out of nowhere. William caught it and read letters describing a treasure few would get, let alone buy.

[Federation Library. Full Pass. All floors and concepts are open to the owner of this card. Upper floors are no exception]

Even Anna briefly flinched, but she was so thrilled and out of her mind, she couldn't give it any attention.

“This is...”

“Master key, I call it,” Kaufman said, grinning. “Make sure to use it well. Who knows, perhaps you will get great results in the Examination and end up in a situation where a choice will be hard. What you will learn beforehand will be meaningful. Knowing what to do is part of the mind. Mind is no brawl. Walkers who are just that are no good, you see. The brain is as essential as great use of the Emblems.”

“Is it?” William didn't believe it all that much.

“No. I am kidding. It makes things much smoother when dealing with the delegates from the organization who want recruits, while Walkers do need to focus on their own strength the most. It is the truth. Dealing with Walkers also depends on a person and talent. I've seen stupids do well with bodies, or clever people doing stupid things regardless of anything. Some people are good at certain things, so don't fret too much about it.”

“Is this a lesson? Luke was like that too.”

“He was?” This time, Kaufman didn't believe his words. “Well, the library is no school for Walkers, that is for sure. The library is a good start to understand what they mean. The world that was once known. It is there. Walkers should know what history means.”

“Is this valuable?” William asked as he held the card. “I don't like to owe people. It doesn't work well Outside unless one truly trusts someone.”

“Nah,” Kaufman waved a hand in the air. “For others, maybe. For you? It is basic, so don't disappoint me again and take it. I have some expectations for you.”

“Why?”

“Aren't you asking too many questions? Just take it and learn! I won't do it myself if you don't want to. It is about pride and consent.”

“So this Mi-Yung will teach me instead?”

“Bah, storms and Named at you! I have no idea. She is a busy person. She might if you like her so much. Hmph! I offered a moon and you took the lake. Pity.” Kaufman scoffed in pride, thinking he was much better than her.

He was.

“It was a choice, sir. I don't like to be forced into these kinds of situations.”

“And I accept it. History will repeat itself, eh? In fact, aren't Luke and Mi-Yung forceful as well?”

“They showed some concern and said that... my time has come. And from what I've understood, she looked for me for a long time.”

“I don't care about that failed history.”

“History? I like reality, sir. The future is impossible and history has never been good for me. That is why being a realist is good and they showed me sincerity even without knowing me. You are far too good for me. I will pick a closer side. Luke already started it and I don't want to betray them either.” William said and took the card into his pocket.”

“That is for you to think, but my words remain. Whatever. Many like you were the same; others will be glad for what they have and will have. Walkers are worse. With our weight and duties, what one gets is a path without retribution or end in sight.” Kaufman smirked as he looked at William. His white Emblem gleamed closely. “I am serious about my previous offer, boy.”

“What offer? You and Luke talked as if I was air. I will pick his side.” William hesitated. “I want my time to matter. You pushed that to me instead, while they didn't. Will it happen with others as well? If so, I will apologize to you.”

Kaufman kept his smirk. “Good. That card, cherish it, and think about my offer. We will see each other in the future for sure.”

“I will learn much from this library if you insist it is so good, but don't get me wrong. I don't owe you anything and am no thief either. I am grateful. That's all.” William made a small bow, which he learned from Miss Anderson.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Such manners. You aren't like your father at all!”

“Should I curse at you instead?” 'Would he have done that? Father...'

“Perhaps. Mi-Yung will also talk to you about most of what we have started. She is a curious one, so spent some time with Luke beforehand and get accustomed to this place. You may leave now.” Kaufman said and leaned further into the chair, curiously looking at half-bowing William, and Anna who was still lost in her drawing.

There was a lot more he was curious about. For it to matter, William would either have to grow and know much more. In that case, Kaufman's expectations weren't met. It wasn't that bad. William was young and surprising in many ways, while the history behind him from a decade ago wasn't something Kaufman could get right now.

In a way, Kaufman was happy that it came at all. William kept some secrets for himself and didn't show it. That intrigued him. Still, Kaufman was a patient man. He can wait for years, let alone some weeks or months. William had a lot to learn from the likes of him or this place for more to matter.

With that, William left the office with a heavy and complex heart. Slightly surprised and a little glad as well, he wasn't sure how well this meeting went. What had he even expected? A welcoming party? These lessons and discussions with Luke and Kaufman made him think of strange pasts and stories, and his tensed arms remained as if itching for a trial.

“Already done?” Luke lazily asked from the sofa beside the door. He was there as if no one would ever come here. Dust? He didn't care for that.

“Yeah. Kaufman seemed like a chatty person and we talked a lot. He reminded me of some scholars, but I bet he is not like that in the slightest. His Emblem is magical. I've never seen one like that before.”

Luke frowned and asked. “How much did he show you his Emblem?”

“A little? I mean, you saw it too, and he also got me some library card.” William pulled it from his pocket and showed it to Luke.

“Hm? Does your arm hurt?” Luke winced and eyed William, whose right arm was really right at the moment.

“It's itchy. Thats all. Anyway, what's this?” He showed him his card, pushing the matter that was easy to see.

This time, Luke looked at it closely and read it. Eyes squinting, he almost snatched it and looked at it better. “F-full Pass? That is rather helpful for Kaufman of all people. What have you promised him? He isn't a person who looks at someone and gifts things left right and center.”

“Nothing. I refused all of it and he gave it away because I disappointed him. He wanted me to learn, so he gave it away like a piece of paper. He was odd as well, but I want to meet Mi-Yung first before... well, anything.”

“Oh. I see. Me too, kiddo,” Luke yawned.

“He was weird, or was it just me?”

“Nah. He is weird. Who isn't? Freaks, I tell you, are all there. Old Walkers are just that sort of people. That's what happens when you live for so long.”

“Long? How long?”

“No idea. He hates to talk about it, but his history speaks for itself. Kaufman is from the First Generation. Not sure which. Some say the very first one. I never wanted to know. For the better, I suppose.”

“Start? That would make him more than eighty years old, or... more? Wait, when did Walkers start to appear?”

Luke stretched his arms and yawned again. “Not sure. Century ago? I just know that he is unrestrained and like a fickle water. No one is sure where it will flow, but it could become a mess eventually, or big. Anyway, if you took his voice well, you better use his card even better. It costs a lot of credits to get anywhere close to the Full Pass level, but... wait a second, give it to me for a second,” Luke snatched his card and glared at it.

For a whole ten seconds, silence spread.

“Will it speak to you or what?” William asked and forgot that Anna was still inside.

“This... is... What is Kaufman thinking?”

“To help me? 'I lack knowledge,' he said.”

“This will get you anywhere!” Luke argued and pointed to the card. “Like... some nasty things anywhere. Secrets. No way the current headmaster will allow this to happen. You are just a brat at Rank 0!”

“Oh,” William wasn't as bummed as he sounded, nor considered a matter of Rank 0 all that critical. “Can I use it though? I don't care for some secrets if it is sensitive. I get how some Walkers like secrets and how some stuff goes under a rag.”

“It isn't so simple like that.”

“I can promise it.”

“Promises are no good with this kind of thing,” Luke reminded him, but still gave it back.“For now, keep it. Be warned that this is something that disregards Rank Locks in the library. Getting that far for someone who is at Rank 0 is cautious. Knowledge could be a burden. You don't want to see everything. Trust me.”

“What? If you say it like that, I am all curious.”

Luke sat down and glanced at the card in William's hand. He saw this sort of pass card only once, and he knew what was in the library. The last floors described all sorts of Walker-related topics, including Darks and many of their secrets. Simply put, there was a lot of research there for a good reason.

It was essentially an archive with limited entries depending on Ranks, so Walker could see everything at some point.

“I misspoke,” Luke slapped his head. “No. Let's not go there, William. Keep that in your head and not in yourself. Wait, not. Don't take advantage of that card and discuss it first with Mi-Yung.”

William played with the card and hummed. “Fine. By the way, what are those credits?”

“Payment. Money. The library isn't entirely free. Credits are for people in the Federation to buy things they need. Don't you know them? Camps should have them?”

“They do? Well, I never bothered. Sounds like the old world to me.”

“It is a good enough system to make a stable nation, even if it is reminiscent of the past. Credits give value and work. It is good it exists. You may think whatever you want, but it is what is in the Federation and you need to understand it.”

“I was a farmer boy besides the training and used barter all my life. Using currency isn't for me.”

“Then you better change it because... well, as long as you understand, I don't care who you are, or used to be,” Luke said and walked away. 'There is so much you don't know... That card... that is like a curse.' he thought, leaving William standing by that door where Anna remained.